Northwestern extends contracts of coaches Tracy Fuchs, Claire Pollard

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Northwestern revealed in recent days the names of two more coaches who have received contract extensions this offseason.

NU announced Friday that women’s tennis coach Claire Pollard has signed a contract extension through 2020. Three days later, the athletic department said field hockey coach Tracy Fuchs’ contract has been extended through 2018.

NU has reached the final 16 in the NCAA Tournament in 13 of Pollard’s 15 seasons at the helm, including the last 10 years. The Cats also have had 10 ITA Midwest Regional singles champions, four ITA Midwest Regional doubles champions and 45 All-Big Ten honorees during Pollard’s tenure.

“We will continue our quest for excellence both in the classroom and on the courts while wearing our purple with pride,” Pollard said in a news release. “I look forward to many more years of hard work and satisfaction as a Wildcat and the leader of the women’s tennis program.”

The field hockey program has continued to improve under Fuchs, tallying a 16-win season a year ago. The team has won double-digit games in each of Fuchs’ four seasons after not having a 10-win year in the 14 seasons before she arrived in 2009.

Fuchs on Monday praised athletic director Jim Phillips and University President Morton Schapiro, saying they “have created a truly excellent environment” for student athletes.

“I am enormously grateful for their vision and for the commitment they have made to me and to the entire Northwestern field hockey community as we continue our march to a championship,” Fuchs said in a news release.

NU announced earlier this month that seven coaches received contract extensions this offseason. The final extension is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.